Addon Domains vs. Parked Domains in cPanel
cPanel allows you to host multiple domains within a single hosting account. The two most common options are Addon Domains and Parked Domains (Aliases). This guide explains the differences and when to use each.
Comparison: Addon Domains vs. Parked Domains
| Feature | Addon Domains | Parked Domains |
|---|---|---|
| Main domain appears in the address bar | Yes | No |
| Apache directive used | VirtualHost | ServerAlias |
| Separate logs | Yes | No |
| Separate statistics | Yes | No |
| Treated as a subdomain (internally) | Yes | No |
| Ideal for multiple domains sharing same content | No | Yes |
What Is an Addon Domain?
An Addon Domain allows you to host an entirely separate website within the same cPanel account. It gets its own directory, content, and optional email accounts.
Addon Domain Use Cases
- Hosting multiple websites under one account
- Running separate blogs, shops, or landing pages
- Creating standalone sites for projects or clients
Example
Main domain: yourdomain.com
Addon domain: anotherwebsite.com
Folder: /public_html/anotherwebsite.com/What Is a Parked Domain?
A Parked Domain (Alias) points multiple domain names to the same website. It does not have its own directory or separate content.
Parked Domain Use Cases
- Brand protection with multiple TLDs (.com, .net, .co.uk)
- Redirecting misspellings or variations of a domain
- Marketing domains pointing to the same site
Example
Main domain: yourdomain.com
Parked domain: yourdomain.net → shows yourdomain.com
Parked domain: yourdomain.co.uk → shows yourdomain.comWhich Should You Choose?
Use an Addon Domain if:
- You want a completely separate website and content
- You need distinct email accounts or logs
- You are hosting multiple independent sites
Use a Parked Domain if:
- You want several domains to load the same website
- You are redirecting alternate spellings or TLDs
- You want branding domains to point to the main site
Additional Notes
- Both domain types require DNS pointing to your server.
- Addon domains create subdomains internally for routing.
- Google treats addon domains as separate sites (SEO impact).
- Parked domains generally share SEO authority with the main domain.